Elf Sight

by Avril Sabine

  She nodded and then remembered he couldn’t see her. “Let’s go.” She moved forward, holding tight to Carson, her arm stretched out.

  “At least I can see the entrance once we’re inside the tunnel. It should make returning easier,” Carson said.

  “The magic is only to stop people entering, not exiting,” Shadow said. The tunnel grew darker as horses and men filled the entrance. Her horse stumbled over some loose rock but she still managed to hold onto Carson.

  “We’ll light a lantern as soon as everyone’s in,” Carson said.

  “Providing we don’t all fall down a hole before then,” Shadow muttered.

  Carson chuckled. “You’re full of gloomy predictions today.”

  “All in,” Roper said behind Carson.

  “Good.” Shadow let Carson’s hand go.

  Carson rummaged in his saddlebags and pulled out a lantern, which he quickly lit using the tinderbox kept in his belt pouch. Along the line several other men also lit lanterns.

  The soldiers travelled silently. They were too nervous at being underground to say much. Even the horses seemed quieter than usual. The tunnel ran on a slight upward slope.

  Shadow breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the light from the end of the tunnel. It grew larger and brighter the closer they came to it and then she was out of the tunnel and breathing in the cold, crisp air. The area near the exit was clear of trees but not far from there was a pine forest. A thin layer of snow coated everything and the sky looked like there was more snow to come. Shadow looked over her shoulder, to ask Carson what the plan was, and noticed a glow at the top of the cliff.

  Looking up Shadow saw men push at a pile of boulders. “Away from the tunnel mouth! Trap!” Shadow screamed as she kneed her horse forward.

  Two soldiers came out of the tunnel as the ones near the opening moved out of the way. Boulders poured over the cliff top, which was about twenty feet above them. Even before those boulders had time to settle more were pushed over.

  “Where are they?” Carson demanded of Shadow as he came to a stop beside her amongst the trees. They all dismounted.

  “Cowards!” Roper yelled.

  “A bit to the left of where the last lot of boulders came down,” Shadow said.

  The five men who had made it through the pass with them readied their crossbows while Carson aimed at the area Shadow pointed at.

  “You just missed him. A bit to the right and slightly lower,” Shadow said.

  Six bolts flew towards the place Shadow mentioned and the man yelled in pain. As soon as the magic on him evaporated another six bolts impaled him, making him sink to the ground before another heap of boulders barrelled down the cliff face.

  “They’ve moved over to the right,” Shadow said.

  “Roper, only you,” Carson said.

  Roper aimed in the general direction.

  “More right than that. Good height,” Shadow said.

  “Perrun, your shot,” Carson ordered.

  Perrun took the next shot while Roper readied his crossbow. The bolt caught the man in his shoulder and the magic on him instantly evaporated. Five more bolts followed. The man had no chance.

  “They’re running! To the left.” Shadow watched the bolts miss the men fleeing. “More to the left. The ground! Watch the ground. Every now and then they kick pebbles that go over the edge. Aim a bit in front of that.”

  Roper hit a man and the other soldiers quickly fired at him.

  “How many?” Carson demanded.

  “Two more.” Shadow looked at Carson. “More left than that,” she said when she saw where he aimed.

  “Damn it! You do it,” Carson snapped.

  Shadow shook her head. “I can’t even hit a still target all the time.”

  “You don’t have to get them between the eyes. Just wing them and the magic goes. Here.” Carson handed her his crossbow. “I’ll get yours. We have to stop them from warning anyone we’re here.”

  He turned away before she could argue and she was left looking at the crossbow.

  “Where now?” Perrun asked.

  “Come on, boy. Don’t have all day,” Wardell, who had also managed to get through the tunnel, growled.

  Shadow aimed at one of the men moving more cautiously along the cliff top. Not far from them the trees started. She closed her eyes for a second.

  “You need to be able to see to aim,” Wardell grumbled.

  “Leave him be,” Roper said. “Lad’s tryin.”

  “In more ways than one,” Wardell muttered.

  Shadow opened her eyes.

  “Remember lad. It’s them or us. Them or us,” Roper said.

  Them or us, Shadow thought before she aimed again. She aimed for just in front of the man and by the time the bolt reached him, it was behind him. “That fell to the right of one.” She readied the crossbow again and this time aimed further in front. “I hit him,” she yelped in surprise.

  “Get the other one.” Carson took his crossbow from her hands and placed her own there instead.

  She looked back up to the cliff top and saw the man she had hit fall to the ground. Bolts from the soldiers with her forced him off his feet. Them or us, she reminded herself before she aimed at the last man.

  “I missed!” Shadow exclaimed.

  “Where did it go? Left or right?” Carson demanded.

  “Between his legs. He’s just starting to move again,” Shadow said.

  Carson quickly aimed. The man grabbed at the bolt that pierced his hip. Five other bolts followed and he seemed to waver for a second before toppling over the edge of the cliff.

  “Shadow, a shot like that would have been enough to freeze any man. Good job.” Perrun clapped her on the back and caused her to stagger slightly.

  “Beginner’s luck,” Wardell muttered.

  “Who cares? At least we got them,” Roper said.

  “All right. Wardell find a way up there and check all the men are dead. Roper, gather the horses together. We can’t afford to lose them. Perrun, Clem, see if anyone else can get out of the tunnel. Gwyn, don’t let Shadow out of your sight,” Carson ordered. “Shadow, have a look around for any more surprises.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Shadow moved away, Gwyn following. When she stood in the middle of the clearing she slowly turned and looked for the glow of magic. Nothing. She faced Gwyn. He was a bulky man with sandy brown hair, a scruffy beard and pale blue eyes. He carried no sword, only his crossbow and a dagger at his waist.

  “It’s all clear,” Shadow said.

  “We’d better tell the Captain,” Gwyn said gruffly.

  Shadow nodded and looked around for Carson. She found him near the tunnel exit. When she reached his side, he turned to see who it was.

  “Well?” Carson asked.

  “All clear.”

  Carson nodded and turned back to the tunnel exit. It was blocked. He looked at the boulders thoughtfully.

  “If we stick around and clear the pass they’ll notice the men are missing,” Clem said.

  Carson nodded, still staring at the boulders.

  “We’ll make camp in the foothills and wait for you,” one of the soldiers called from behind the boulders.

  “Come on, Captain, we can’t stick around here forever,” Clem argued.

  “He’s right, Captain,” Gwyn said. “We’ll find another way out on the way back. We don’t have time now.”

  “But there’s only seven of us,” Shadow exclaimed.

  Carson looked over at her. “Can you move these boulders?” Shadow shook her head. “Then we have to leave them there.” He spoke louder. “If we don’t meet up with you in four weeks, make your way to the castle and let them know.”

  “Yes, Captain,” came a chorus of voices.

  Carson turned away. “Let’s move!”

  “What about food?” Perrun asked.

  “Keep an eye out for game. The man that makes the kill gets the biggest portion,” Carson promised.

  “Great
. Now I’m going to starve,” Shadow muttered.

  Carson grinned at her when the soldiers had gone on ahead of them. “I didn’t mention anything about what portion is due a woman.”

  “Hush.” Shadow glanced over at the soldiers who had reached their horses. “I thought you didn’t want them to know.”

  Carson’s grin widened in answer as he picked up his pace and caught up with his men.

  Once mounted, they rode through the forest, the snow becoming thicker the further they went. Between the men they caught three hares that were on the thin side, and when they finally stopped for the night, Wardell was sent grumbling for firewood.

  Shadow cleaned the hares while the rest of the men set up camp. With no packhorse, they only had what they carried on their horses. Saddlebags with some food and personal gear and their bedding rolled up and tied behind their saddle.

  After the hares had been cooked and shared out, Shadow inched closer to the fire. Now the sun had gone, the clothes she wore weren’t warm enough, even with the thicker tunic she’d brought with her.

  “Here.”

  Shadow looked up from the bone she gnawed on to find Carson standing beside her holding out a cloak. She frowned.

  “Can’t have you freezing to death on us. No one else can see through magic.” Carson dropped the cloak around her shoulders.

  “Thank you.” The heavy woollen cloak enveloped her and she touched the soft material with her clean hand. The material was unlike any she had ever felt before. Never had she worn such a fine garment. It seemed more expensive than what a simple army captain could afford. Shadow looked up to ask Carson about it, but he’d already walked away. She remembered her and Irlan’s earlier suspicions about Carson, but they didn’t seem right. There was something he was hiding and she wished she could figure it out.

  Shadow turned back to her food, but looked up when she felt eyes on her. Wardell glared at her. Shadow hurriedly lowered her eyes. She wished anyone other than Wardell had come through the pass. He had never been friendly to her and Irlan, ever since he’d been reprimanded for not bringing them to the general. Her dinner finished, Shadow threw the bone into the fire and moved away to wipe her hands clean in the snow. Rubbing her chilled hands against her clothes, she buried them in the cloak as she pulled it close. About to go back to the fire, she noticed Carson.

  No one stood with the same proud stance. He looked out among the trees, his back to Shadow and the fire. Shadow moved towards him and she saw him tense and then relax.

  “Go back to the fire, Shadow.” Carson didn’t even turn around.

  “How did you know it was me?” Shadow stood beside him.

  “Your walk.”

  “My walk?”

  “The rhythm and lightness of your step.” Carson looked down at her.

  Shadow couldn’t make out his features in the darkness, but she was certain he was grinning at her. “Why are you a captain?” she asked abruptly.

  Carson turned away again. “Are you trying to insinuate something?”

  “What do you mean?” Shadow asked.

  “I didn’t inherit the position or buy it,” Carson said.

  “I didn’t say you did.”

  “Then what did you mean?”

  Shadow sighed. “Exactly what I asked. How did you come to be a captain when you’re so young? Did you save the King or something?”

  Carson chuckled softly. “Or something.”

  “Can’t you answer a simple question?” Shadow asked in frustration.

  “All right. I’ve been a part of the army since I was five.”

  “Five! That’s terrible.”

  “Not really, and I didn’t say that was all to my life. It was only a part of it. Until I was fifteen. Then it was most of my life.”

  “Didn’t your family want you?” Shadow asked. At Carson’s chuckle, Shadow grumbled, “That was a serious question.”

  “I know. And yes, my family do want me. I see a great deal of them. It was my choice. Let’s just say I’m a second son and the eldest inherits nearly everything. I chose to find my own path, to make my own way.”

  “Why can’t you inherit anything?”

  “I won’t be left with nothing. The bulk of the estate goes to the eldest. I’ve known it since birth. It’s the way it is.”

  “It seems unfair,” Shadow said.

  “It’s always been that way in our family. There’s a good reason for it.”

  “What?”

  “That’s a story far too complicated for a freezing cold night like this,” Carson said lightly.

  “It’s not like there’s anything else to do.”

  “You’re a plucky thing. You’ve surprised me. Most of the women I know would be in tears long before now,” Carson said.

  “I’m not much for tears. They don’t help.”

  Carson chuckled.

  “Do you think they’re fine?” Shadow asked wistfully, thinking of Irlan.

  “Your brother?”

  “All of them. The General, the soldiers, my brother.”

  “I don’t know, Shadow. I guess we’ll find out soon enough,” Carson said.

  Silence fell. “What are we looking for?”

  More silence.

  “Does anyone other than you know what we’re looking for?” Shadow looked up at Carson and wished there was more light so she could see him better.

  “The General.”

  “Well, that doesn’t help. What happens if you get taken too? Or killed? Who else will be able to lead?”

  “A man.” Carson bent towards her so his mouth was near her ear.

  “What?”

  “Shh. We’re going after a man.”

  “What man?” Shadow lowered her voice. She wanted to step closer to Carson, but held herself still.

  “The prince.”

  “The what?” Shadow shrieked as she pulled back to look at Carson. She still couldn’t see his expression in the dark. She opened her mouth again but felt Carson clamp his hand over it, his other pressed against her back so she couldn’t move away.

  “Quiet!” He hissed in her ear. “Are you going to be quiet now?”

  Shadow nodded. The hand remained on her mouth and she wondered if she could bite his hand to make him remove it. Before she could make the attempt, it fell away from her mouth, but the other hand stayed against her back, warmth seeping into her.

  “No one’s to know. The King’s frantic. He’s been given three months to sign away his kingdom in exchange for his first born. We’re running out of time. The King can’t give in and he knows this,” Carson said.

  “He’s going to let his son die?” Shadow demanded.

  “Yes. Why do you think we’re trying to get him back? He sent out four companies to find him.”

  “He sent you?” Shadow asked.

  “Not exactly. I volunteered.”

  “Why?”

  “This is the sort of thing that turns Captains into Generals.” Carson let her go.

  Shadow frowned. She was beginning to know Carson. His tone of voice. The way he could reply to a question without really answering it. “What’s the real reason?”

  Carson stood quietly beside her. “He’s been a brother to me.”

  “I can understand that reasoning.”

  “I know.” Carson dropped his arm across her shoulder. “We’ll do our best to find your brother too.”

  They stood there in silence until the next soldier came to take over guard duty. Shadow reluctantly returned to camp, wishing she could have stood there all night with Carson’s arm around her shoulders, the warmth of him sinking into her as their breath frosted the air in front of them. She’d even ignored the urge to ask for another training lesson so she could remain at his side longer. It was too cold to train, anyway.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Time to rise,” Carson called out early the next morning.

  Shadow poked her nose out of her bedding and quickly hid back under the covers. She shivered. It was
barely light and flakes of snow had started to fall.

  “You too.” Carson gave Shadow a nudge with his boot.

  Shadow groaned and quickly hopped out of her blankets before she changed her mind. She shook her boots then pulled them on, tugged the cloak close and rolled up her bedding. That done she looked around for Carson, urgently needing to relive herself.

  He was talking to Perrun, but when he saw her coming towards him, he moved away from Perrun with a last word and glanced towards the trees. At a nod from Shadow, he headed for them, Shadow close behind. Once she’d finished and began to head back to the camp, Carson took hold of her arm to halt her.

  “What?” Shadow looked up into his serious expression. She hoped he wasn’t going to tell her she needed to continue with her exercises. It was freezing.

  Carson reached into his belt pouch and pulled out a bundle of material. He placed it in Shadow’s hands. “Open it.”

  Shadow looked at him curiously for a minute. There were snowflakes in his black hair and his brown eyes held her gaze when she looked into them. He smiled slightly and glanced at her hands. Shadow dropped her gaze and unwrapped the bundle. It was a painting of a man. It was about three inches wide and six inches tall. The man was standing sideways, his black hair tied at the nape of his neck resting on his blue tunic, which looked like velvet. His eyes were brown, his nose was straight, his lips only a shade off being too thin and his jaw square. Shadow frowned at the image, trying to figure out why he seemed familiar. “Who is it?”

  “The one we talked of last night,” Carson said.

  “Oh.”

  Carson took the painting from her and wrapped it up again, slipping it into his belt pouch. “If I don’t make it, the task is yours.”

  Shadow held up her hands and stepped from him. “Oh no!” She shook her head. “I can’t be responsible for that. I’m a tavern keeper’s daughter.”

  “No, you’re the daughter of Gil Morgan, one of the most heroic men in the country.”

  “Our country must be in pretty bad shape then,” Shadow muttered.

  Carson smiled. “He endured a lot. Now don’t change the subject. You will rescue the prince if something happens to me.”